Tripod bag ok for airline carry on?

Just wondering if the airlines allow a tripod bag to be carried on to the plane. Anybody had any experience with this?
If not....what do you do? Pack it in the luggage?
(I have a Gitzo 2531 with a head....if that matters, size-wise.)
Thanks.

I always pack mine in my check-in luggage in the middle of the clothes, its a pretty robust thing and doesn't really need to be carried on-board. Take the head off and carry that on if you're desperate. Save the carry-on allowance for the breakable stuff, like the camera and lenses.
As for the airlines, I reckon a tripod is perhaps a tad too long for carry-on anyway. Depends on airlines too I suppose.

I traveled to Scotland last year and i was carrying my Gitzo 1540T in its normal bag from Gitzo alongside with Manfrotto 322RC2 head in my check-in-luggage, and i carried 2 cameras with 3 lenses in Lowepro bag as on-board [Cabinet], no problems at all, i will do the same when i will travel alone, this time i will try to carry 2 cameras on-board and i will carry lightest ballhead in check-in bag, so i don't think complicated about my luggage whether carry-on-board or check-in.

I cannot decide if I am going to check my tripod or not. Last time the cheap one I got broke in several places when I opened the bag. This time I have the 190XB and I'm not ready to lose that yet. If others have packed their tripods well, then more power to you. I don't trust the handlers anymore.

SuzyView wrote in post #5859267
I cannot decide if I am going to check my tripod or not. Last time the cheap one I got broke in several places when I opened the bag. This time I have the 190XB and I'm not ready to lose that yet. If others have packed their tripods well, then more power to you. I don't trust the handlers anymore.

I agree...but I'm wondering if carrying it on the plane is even an option! What do you think...is it allowed? Especially if it's in a case!

Well I can't say for sure about tripods. But recently (March) I carried on a tripod bag containing 2 umbrellas and 2 7.5' lightstands with sync cords, umbrella brackets, etc. I got to the airport early in case they made me check the stands/umbrellas but I didn't have any problems. No questions asked, nothing. JFK & SFO were the airports I went through.

TSA does not specifically prohibit tripods to be carried-on. See LIST.

However, I think it pays to be prepared to have to check in the tripod. TSA airport security can get very subjective about what is and is not allowed on hand luggage, probably because of their ignorance of TSA rules and policies.

Here's a recent post on another website: http://www.tsa.gov …0000#c590249404​1253013350

Since I'll be vacationing shortly, I decided to do some Googling, and came across this rather informative thread at Fred Miranda: http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/62739​8/1

The post by SEFrischling is of particular interest.

FYI: I am SEFrischling

.....I have flown with a tripod attached to a bag, exterior to the bag with no problems, I have flown many times with the ThinkTank Bazooka bag for tripods/lights stands, no problem.

In April in 3.5 days my bag crossed through airport security in Providence, Philadelphia, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Incheon, Tokyo, Chicago, all while traveling with a Manfrotto 3373 compact light stand. The Manfrotto 3373 was at all times attached to the EXTERIOR of my North Face Surge backpack.

You can see a photo of the North Face Surge backpack with my Manfrotto 3373 clearly attached to the exterior of the bag in the photo at this link: http://s242.photobucke​t.com …2_NorthFaceSurg​e_3050.jpg

Traveled last week, New Orleans to West Palm Beach, via Charlotte. Carried on board my Lowepro Computrekker Plus and a lawn chair bag with tripod, small light stand and an unbrella. Smooth going, no questions asked.

Nice picture. I also am taking a backpack with me and thinking to strap them together so it looks like part of my "1 bag" for carry on. It should be fine.

I just got my Think Tank tripod bag for my 190XB and 488RC and it is beautiful. The tripod fits well and the bag is padded. I will strap this to my airport international and we'll see what happens.

I tried to take my tripod bag on at LAX, and was told by curbside checkin at American that it was too long to carry on. It is 32 inches long, and I believe the limitation on length is 22 inches. It is a matter of individual airline regulations.

WordWaster wrote in post #5888362
I tried to take my tripod bag on at LAX, and was told by curbside checkin at American that it was too long to carry on. It is 32 inches long, and I believe the limitation on length is 22 inches. It is a matter of individual airline regulations.

So...what did you do?! How did things turn out?

I have carried on my 2540 several times. I remove the center post and head and put it in my carry on grip at the bottom.